Ümit Çoban, who rushed towards the Presidential Palace as soon as he heard about July 15th coup attempt, was martyred from the crossfire by the putschists.
President Erdoğan’s call was the first thing Ümit saw on his TV, which was returned from technical service on the same day. Rushing in to the streets immediately after the call, he took a taxi to the Ankara Gendarmerie General Command. Walking to the Presidential Complex, he made it to the front of the line by going through the crowd that had gathered there. He was shot by the putschists, and became one of the first to be martyred at the Presidential Complex. People around wanted to save him, however the putschists didn’t let them help Ümit, who was wounded in that moment. Ümit was bid farewell in his hometown, Gümüşhacıköy, Amasya.
“Thanks to them, we live in peace today”
The name of 39 year old Ümit Çoban, who was a swimming coach at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, was given to a street in Gümüşhacıköy, Amasya where his family’s house is located. His mother Arife Çoban, reported that the decision moved her, stated that she had lost one of her sons a martyr, and would give her other son as a martyr for the country too, if necessary. Saying that her son made her a martyr’s mother, she stated the following, “They named our street after my son. I feel sorrow every time I pass by the sign, but I feel proud of my son as well. Thanks to our president, they will take care of us. Not every mother and father is rewarded with being a martyr’s parents. I’m proud of my son’s title, which God has blessed us with, no matter how much sorrow I feel. I have a son and a grandson. I would sacrifice their lives for our country too. Thanks to them, we live in peace today.”
